Fact Check: "Trump Pays Off to Raped Children"
What We Know
The claim that "Trump pays off to raped children" suggests that former President Donald Trump has made financial settlements related to accusations of child rape. While Trump has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, including accusations from at least 25 women since the 1970s, there is no credible evidence that he has specifically paid off victims of child rape claims. Notably, the Associated Press has clarified that it did not report any such allegations or settlements involving child molestation against Trump (Reuters).
In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million in damages (AP News). This case, however, does not involve children and pertains to adult allegations.
Analysis
The claim lacks substantiation and is misleading. While there have been allegations against Trump, including serious accusations of sexual misconduct, the specific assertion regarding payments for child rape is unfounded. For instance, a widely circulated claim about Trump paying $35 million to settle child rape claims has been debunked, indicating that such payments were either exaggerated or misrepresented (Snopes).
Moreover, the sources that discuss Trump's sexual misconduct allegations, such as Wikipedia and various news articles, do not support the notion that he has settled claims related to child rape. Instead, they focus on adult allegations and Trump's denials of all accusations (Wikipedia, PBS). The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are well-regarded news organizations and encyclopedic entries that adhere to editorial standards.
In contrast, the claim appears to stem from misinformation and lacks credible sourcing. The absence of verified reports or legal documentation supporting the assertion further diminishes its credibility.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Donald Trump pays off to raped children is not supported by credible evidence. While Trump has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, including a recent court ruling against him, there is no verified information indicating that he has made payments related to child rape claims. The claim is misleading and appears to be based on misinformation.
Sources
- False posts say AP reported on Trump 'child molestation ...
- Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations
- Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards E. Jean ...
- Did Trump Pay $35M to Settle Child Rape Claims Against Him?
- All the assault allegations against Donald Trump, recapped
- Sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump
- Yes, Donald Trump Was Accused of Raping a 13 Year Old, But ...
- The history of Donald Trump's sexual assault allegations